ETHIOPIA: People of Gumuz Tribe Baptized, Set Free from Slavery of Sin
Over 400 people of the Gumuz tribe in Ethiopia were on Saturday 4 April 2019 received in the Catholic Church as they received Sacraments of Baptism and Confirmation during a Eucharistic Celebration which took place in as open field, under the shade of tarp tent.
The Gumuz people are found near the Sudan Margins following the Blue Nile River. They are unique in their way of life as they still do their agriculture using wooden tools; they hunt animals using bow and arrows; they live in a granary-shaped small houses made of local wood and covered by Savanna grass as the roof.
The Catholic Church continues to evangelize by preaching the Gospel to people who do not know Christ. She also does this through doing philanthropic works amongst the community, helping the needy and committing herself to social developments.
Due to this testimony, many Gumuz people are recognizing the mission of Catholic Church especially through the social ministries. Many are expressing desired to be baptized and become members of the Catholic community.
Bishop of Bahir-Dar-Dessie Diocese
The Bishop of the Catholic Diocese of Bahir Dar Dessie Rt. Rev. Lisane-Christos Matheos Semahun presided over the Eucharistic celebration. During his homily, he preached using the New Testament passage from Gospel of John “I am the way, the truth and the life. No one comes to my father but through me.” (John 14:6).
He said that salvation and true healing comes only through Jesus Christ who suffered and was crucified for all people, adding that a true shepherd does not sleep looks over his sheep so much that if wolves want to attach the sheep he can protect them.
“This is why Christ died to save humanity. We ought to be on our guard against the devil as he never falls asleep day in day out, until he gets a chance to strike on us,” he said.
All the baptized Gumuz people were given a white cloth to symbolize that as baptized people in the name of the Father, and the Son and the Holy Spirit they are now cleansed from the Original Sin, set free from slavery to sin.
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By Bezawit Assefa, Ethiopia Catholic Secretariat
